Onset aging conditions of adults with an intellectual disability associated with primary caregiver depression.

Caregivers of adults with an intellectual disability experience depressive symptoms, but the aging factors of the care recipients associated with the depressive symptoms are unknown. The objective of this study was to analyze the onset aging conditions of adults with an intellectual disability that associated with the depression scores of their primary caregivers. A cross-sectional survey was administered to gather information from 455 caregivers of adults with an intellectual disability about their symptoms of depression which assessed by a 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). The 12 aging conditions of adults with an intellectual disability include physical and mental health. The results indicate that 78% of adults with an intellectual disability demonstrate aging conditions. Physical conditions associated with aging include hearing decline (66.3%), vision decline (63.6%), incontinence (44%), articulation and bone degeneration (57.9%), teeth loss (80.4), physical strength decline (81.2%), sense of taste and smell decline (52.8%), and accompanied chronic illnesses (74.6%). Mental conditions associated with aging include memory loss (77%), language ability deterioration (74.4%), poor sleep quality (74.2%), and easy onset of depression and sadness (50.3%). Aging conditions of adults with an intellectual disability (p<0.001) was one factor that significantly affected the presence of depressive symptom among caregivers after controlling demographic characteristics. Particularly, poor sleep quality of adults with an intellectual disability (yes vs. no, OR=3.807, p=0.002) was statistically correlated to the occurrence of significant depressive symptoms among their caregivers. This study suggests that the authorities should reorient community services and future policies toward the needs of family caregivers to decrease the burdens associated with caregiving.

Insights from the experiences of older people with hearing impairment in the United Kingdom: recommendations for nurse-led rehabilitation.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This study aims to explore, and develop a greater understanding of the experience of living with age-related hearing impairment from the perspectives of older people themselves to highlight possible recommendations for the improvement of hearing aid (HA) services and rehabilitation. BACKGROUND: Hearing impairment (HI) is one of the most common chronic conditions affecting older people. HI can have a huge impact on a wide variety of life factors including physical, mental and social health and can lead to a reduction in quality of life. With the current ageing population, the numbers living with hearing impairment in old age is likely to increase. Currently, the diagnosis of hearing impairment in older people can be slow with individuals living with hearing impairment for around 10 years before being diagnosed. METHODS: The research utilises a descriptive qualitative method in the form of descriptive thematic analysis. Findings are reported from semi-structured interviews with nine participants with self-reported HI, aged 61-93. RESULTS: Themes include; the loss itself, communication, using HAs, isolation, and coping strategies. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The results highlight the need for early diagnosis of HI and the development of nurse-led rehabilitation strategies and support services that address the felt stigma and potentially isolating experiences of older people with HI.

Helping clients with presbycusis.

Hearing impairment is the most common chronic disability in the United States. The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) reports that more than 28 million Americans have impaired hearing. Hearing loss can be temporary or permanent, depending on what function of the auditory system is not working right.

Age-related hearing loss: a case for nursing intervention.

This review paper selectively examines the problem of age-related hearing loss. Drawing on specialist audiological research, nursing research and patient anecdotes to make a case for nursing intervention. The limitations of national prevalence estimates are highlighted with regard to dependent elderly people, and are challenged as political underestimations of need. Despite the evidence of an exceptionally high level of potential demand only a minority of elderly people who might benefit from amplification possess a hearing aid. Factors to explain the low levels of hearing aid ownership and use are discussed. Through considerable reference to the author's own research the potential for nurses to lead practice developments and initiate service reform in the management of age-related hearing loss is debated.

The effects of sensory changes in older persons.

An increasing proportion of persons encountered in professional nursing practice are older. This paper discusses the effects of sensory changes in older persons, specifically, the visual, auditory, olfactory, and gustatory effects. Nursing interventions aimed at assisting older persons to cope with or more effectively adapt to these potentially disabling alterations are explained, and some guidelines for nursing care are discussed.